{"product_id":"hobby-craft-plastic-model-kit-hobbycraft-nieuport-17c-1-32","title":"Hobby Craft Plastic Model Kit Hobbycraft Nieuport 17C — 1:32","description":"\u003cp\u003eManufacturer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHobbycraft was a Canadian model-kit manufacturer and distributor based in Ontario. The company began releasing plastic model kits in the late 1980s, with a number of its early kits being manufactured in South Korea by Idea. Some were Hobbycraft-specific subjects, while others were reissues or derivatives of existing tooling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe HC1686 belongs to Hobbycraft's substantial 1:32 First World War aircraft range, which also included the Nieuport 17, Sopwith Camel, SPAD XIII and other classic WWI aircraft. The model databases identify HC1686 specifically as an injection-moulded 1:32 Nieuport 17C.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a vintage Hobbycraft tooling rather than a modern-generation kit. Consequently, a builder should expect comparatively straightforward moulding and detailing by modern 1:32 standards, but the kit has considerable appeal as a representation of an important WWI fighter and as part of Hobbycraft's early large-scale aircraft range.\n\u003cbr\u003eKit contents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe HC1686 provides the components needed to build a single-seat Nieuport 17C in 1:32 scale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit consists broadly of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Fuselage halves\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Cockpit interior\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Pilot's seat\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Instrument panel and cockpit fittings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Rotary engine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Engine cowling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Propeller\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Upper wing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Narrow lower wing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Interplane and cabane struts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Tailplane\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Rudder\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Landing gear\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Wheels\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Machine-gun equipment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Clear canopy\/windscreen components where applicable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Decals\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Assembly instructions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit's 1:32 scale gives considerably more opportunity to display the characteristic structure of the Nieuport's sesquiplane wings, cockpit and rotary-engine installation than a 1:72 representation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMarketplace descriptions confirm the kit as Hobbycraft HC1686, British Nieuport 17, 1:32, with factory-sealed examples still appearing on the secondary market.\n\u003cbr\u003eThe full-size Nieuport 17\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Nieuport 17 was one of France's most important fighter aircraft of the First World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was designed by Gustave Delage as a development of the earlier Nieuport 11 and Nieuport 16. Delage's Nieuport designs used the distinctive sesquiplane arrangement: a large upper wing paired with a much smaller lower wing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe arrangement was intended to combine some of the low drag of a monoplane with the structural characteristics of a biplane.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Nieuport 17 prototype first flew in January 1916 and the aircraft entered operational service during 1916. It quickly became one of the principal Allied fighters on the Western Front.\n\u003cbr\u003eDesign and construction\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft retained the basic sesquiplane concept of the earlier Nieuport fighters but was larger and more refined.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe upper wing had a substantially greater span than the lower wing, while the lower wing was supported by a single main spar. The arrangement provided a light and relatively low-drag fighter, but the narrow lower wing was also a structural vulnerability and was strengthened during its service life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft had:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Crew: 1\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Engine: Le Rhône rotary\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Power: approximately 110–120 hp depending on engine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Length: approximately 5.97 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Wingspan: approximately 8.19 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Maximum speed: approximately 170 km\/h\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Service ceiling: approximately 5,350 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Armament: normally one Vickers or Lewis machine gun\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSpecifications varied between individual production aircraft and engine installations.\n\u003cbr\u003eEngine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEarly Nieuport 17s used the 110 hp Le Rhône 9J rotary engine, while later examples could use the 120 hp Le Rhône 9Jb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe rotary engine was a major contributor to the aircraft's low weight. Unlike a conventional stationary radial engine, the cylinders and crankcase rotated with the propeller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe type's combination of low weight, good power-to-weight ratio and relatively clean airframe gave it excellent manoeuvrability and climb performance.\n\u003cbr\u003eArmament\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe original French configuration commonly carried a machine gun above the upper wing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBritish aircraft frequently used a Lewis gun mounted on a Foster mounting, allowing the pilot to pull the weapon downward for reloading and also to fire upward at an angle. Later aircraft could use a synchronised Vickers machine gun firing through the propeller arc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSome aircraft could also carry Le Prieur anti-balloon rockets, giving the Nieuport an additional capability against observation balloons.\n\u003cbr\u003eCombat history\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Nieuport 17 entered service at an important point in the air war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe German Fokker Eindecker had previously enjoyed a period of air superiority commonly associated with the \"Fokker Scourge\". The arrival of aircraft such as the Nieuport 17 and the British de Havilland DH.2 helped shift the balance back toward the Allies during 1916.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Nieuport was particularly valued for its manoeuvrability and climb rate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was flown by numerous well-known Allied pilots, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Georges Guynemer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Charles Nungesser\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Albert Ball\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    William \"Billy\" Bishop\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Mick Mannock\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIts service extended across French and British units, as well as other Allied air forces.\n\u003cbr\u003eBritish Nieuport 17C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe British Nieuport 17C represented the aircraft as operated by the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBritish aircraft often differed in their armament installation from contemporary French examples, particularly through the use of the Lewis gun and Foster mounting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the subject represented by Hobbycraft HC1686, making it distinct from Hobbycraft's other 1:32 Nieuport 17 boxings. The Hobbycraft catalogue lists HC1682 as a British Nieuport 17, HC1683 as a French Nieuport 17, HC1684 as an international version and HC1686 as the British Nieuport 17C.\n\u003cbr\u003eService with the RFC and RNAS\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBritain ordered Nieuport fighters during 1916 and the type became an important part of British fighter operations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft was particularly attractive because of its manoeuvrability and climbing performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBritish pilots used it extensively during the period before newer types such as the Sopwith Camel and S.E.5a became dominant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Nieuport remained popular with some pilots even after newer aircraft appeared. Contemporary historical accounts specifically note Albert Ball's continued preference for his Nieuport 17 during part of 1917.\n\u003cbr\u003eInternational service\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Nieuport 17 was not confined to French and British service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was used by numerous Allied nations and was also manufactured under licence in Italy by Nieuport-Macchi and in Russia by Dux. Captured aircraft and copies also appeared in German service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis widespread use is one reason the Nieuport 17 is such an important subject in WWI aviation modelling.\n\u003cbr\u003eTransition to later fighters\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Nieuport 17 was eventually superseded by newer Allied fighters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIts successor family included the Nieuport 24, 24bis and 27, while other manufacturers introduced increasingly powerful fighters such as the Sopwith Camel and SPAD S.VII.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNevertheless, the Nieuport 17 had already made an important contribution to restoring Allied fighter capability during 1916 and early 1917.\n\u003cbr\u003eHistorical importance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Nieuport 17 represents an important stage in the rapid development of fighter aircraft during the First World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIts light construction, sesquiplane layout, rotary engine and excellent manoeuvrability made it one of the defining Allied fighters of 1916–17.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt is particularly significant because it was flown by many famous aces and because its design influenced subsequent Nieuport development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft's distinctive silhouette—large upper wing, narrow lower wing, rounded engine cowling and exposed rotary-engine characteristics—also makes it an especially recognisable WWI aircraft.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hobby Craft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57504169558396,"sku":"HC1686","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0432\/8584\/0033\/files\/B9FAB0DF-FA34-4AED-90B8-4FF799E5F267.jpg?v=1790403982","url":"https:\/\/sussex-model-centre.co.uk\/products\/hobby-craft-plastic-model-kit-hobbycraft-nieuport-17c-1-32","provider":"Sussex Model Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}